Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, this easy Crack Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. With tender chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch-seasoned sauce, it's a dinner everyone will ask for again.
If you love bold flavors and easy meals, this chicken cream cheese pasta brings it all together in one skillet. Bowtie pasta gets coated in a rich, cheesy ranch sauce, then tossed with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and melty mozzarella. It quickly became a favorite in our house, simple enough for weeknights but satisfying enough for any comfort food craving.
If you enjoyed this dish, you'll love these other creamy, cheesy pasta recipes like our Alfredo chicken lasagna, garlic butter pasta, and chicken spaghetti with Rotel.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This easy chicken and pasta dish comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Big Flavor: Ranch seasoning, bacon, and cheese bring bold, crave-worthy taste in every bite. Try my creamy Ranch chicken too!
- Family Friendly: A hit with kids and adults alike, there's something for everyone in this dish.
- One-Skillet Meal: One-pot crack chicken pasta means fewer dishes and a faster cleanup after dinner.
- Great for Leftovers: Reheats well for next-day lunches or dinner-if there's any left.
Ingredients
- Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness and flavor. Cook it slowly to render the fat and get it nice and crispy.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best and are perfect for shredding or slicing in your favorite shredded chicken pasta recipes. If thick, cut them in half lengthwise to ensure even cooking.
- Seasonings: A combination of black pepper, paprika, and onion powder adds balanced warmth and depth to your crack chicken with pasta. Paprika brings subtle smokiness, while onion powder adds a mild savory note.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level in the dish. Butter adds richness and helps build the creamy sauce base when melted with garlic.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream creates the silky, rich sauce that coats the pasta. Use full-fat heavy cream for the best texture.
- Cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties. Mozzarella adds gooey stretchiness, while cheddar brings sharpness and depth to the sauce.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Buffalo Style: Toss the cooked chicken with buffalo sauce before adding it to the creamy base for a spicy, tangy twist on this chicken crack pasta. Top with blue cheese crumbles for extra flavor.
- Pesto Swirl: Stir in a few spoonfuls of basil pesto into the creamy sauce for a fresh, herb flavor that complements the cheesy richness.
- Crispy Topping: After combining everything, transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, then broil for a few minutes for a crispy, golden crust.
For a quick and easy creamy beef pasta, try this ground beef stroganoff!
How to Make Crack Chicken Pasta
This recipe comes together quickly with simple steps for a creamy, cheesy dinner everyone will love. Start by gathering all of your ingredients and bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Boil the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Step 2: Cook the Bacon. Cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels, then chop into pieces.
- Step 3: Season and Cook the Chicken. Season the chicken with black pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Cook the chicken over medium-high heat in the same skillet until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove and let rest before slicing.
- Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce. Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet, then sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the heavy cream and ranch seasoning mix until the sauce bubbles. Slowly add mozzarella cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Step 5: Combine Ingredients. Add chopped bacon, sliced chicken, and cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Step 6: Melt Cheese, Garnish, and Serve. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, cover the skillet, and cook for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Top with diced green onions for a fresh finish, then serve warm and enjoy!
This one pot dish is great paired with a veggie forward side dish like this strawberry pecan salad.
Hint: Keep Chicken Moist
For extra juicy chicken, try pounding the pieces to an even thickness before cooking so it cooks evenly and stays tender.
Expert Tips
- Perfect Pasta Texture: To keep your creamy crack chicken pasta from becoming mushy, cook the pasta just until al dente and drain it thoroughly before combining with the sauce.
- Flavor Boost with Bacon Drippings: Use a little of the leftover bacon grease to sauté the garlic and build a deeper, richer flavor in the sauce.
- Use Room Temp Ingredients: Let your cream and butter sit out for a few minutes before using-this helps them blend more smoothly into the sauce.
- Add Cheese Slowly: Add cheese gradually while stirring constantly to prevent clumping and to help it melt evenly into the sauce.
- Bring the Heat: If you like heat, stir in a little hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes when making the sauce for a spicy twist.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the creamy sauce may separate, and the texture of the pasta can become mushy once thawed.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave on medium heat in 30-60 second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through. For stovetop reheating, add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce as it warms.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the sauce, chicken, and pasta separately a day in advance and store them in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce gently, combine it with the pasta and chicken, then top it with cheese and warm it until melted.
Serving Suggestions
Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, this dish pairs well with simple sides and crowd-pleasing appetizers.
- Serve this creamy, comforting dish as an easy weeknight dinner for the whole family. Pair it with cucumber tomato salad and easy sheet pan breadsticks for a full, balanced meal!
- Hosting a casual dinner party? Start with some tasty appetizers like crescent roll pigs in a blanket and loaded pizza dip before serving this crack chicken with noodles.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut; just skip the cooking step for the chicken and stir it in when combining everything with the sauce.
If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer a bit longer before adding the cheese. For a thinner sauce, whisk in a splash of pasta water or milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Yes! Cook cubed chicken with broth, garlic, and seasonings on low for 4-6 hours. Shred, then stir in sauce ingredients and cooked pasta. Heat until creamy and melted.
More Delicious Chicken and Pasta Recipes
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Crack Chicken Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces bowtie pasta
- 4 strips bacon
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning mix
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese grated
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 green onions diced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with black pepper, onion powder, and paprika.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until brown and crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel lined plate.
- Add seasoned chicken into the skillet and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and place it on a plate. Let rest for 5 minutes and slice the chicken.
- Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Then, saute the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add heavy cream and ranch seasoning. Whisk continuously until the sauce starts to bubble. Then, slowly whisk in the mozzarella cheese until completely melted.
- Chop the bacon, then add the bacon, chicken, and pasta to the sauce. Toss until coated in sauce and top with cheese. Cover and cook until cheese is melted.
- Garnish with green onion before serving and enjoy!
Notes
- If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Use shredded rotisserie chicken as a quick swap if you're short on time.
- Add hot sauce or chili flakes if you like a spicy twist in your pasta.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container for easy meals later.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
This is the ultimate chicken pasta that will keep you coming back for more.